 | The Generall |  |
[Scene I.
A Chamber in the King's Palace.]Enter King and Gesippus.
King.
Oh freind! I now feele Loves true fires within.
That is turn'd virtue, which at first was sinne.
Such charmes in honour shee to mee did show,
I adore hers more than her beautie now.
Shee that has in her King this great change bredd,
As a reward deserves to share his bedd.
Thinke not th'unequallnesse shall mee dissuade.
Custome, not reason, has that distance made.
Worse than a subjects case a Kings wou'd prove,
If he must wedd by rules of state, not Love.
Ges.
What is become of that vast reason now,
To wc h, more than your Sword, nations did bow?
O! wrong not thus the Glory of your name,
Nor to your pleasure sacrifice your fame.
King.
Who'le blame mee if my case hee rightly state,
Since Love than titles beares an elder date?
Love is great natures first and noblest Lawe;
At onne with force and pleasure it does draw.
Ges.
This way of reasoning, wc h you soe esteeme,
Is in it selfe only a wakeing dreame.
Pardon mee if I say, to keepe your throne,
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Thousands doe now their swords against you drawe,
And say you sit in it, by force, not Lawe.
From all their mouths you nothing else can heare
But that your crimes alone have plac'd you there.
King.
What ever crymes are acted for a Crowne
The Gods forgive, when once they put it on.
To their high Justice 'twere a disrespect
To feare what they create they will neglect.
Such charmes her Love will to my armes dispence,
Noe forces can withstand their influence.
Each leading Rebbell who does now contend
Is Altemera's Kinsman or her freind.
They fear'd I'd force those Joyes she did deny,
Which only made them to Rebellion fly.
That beautie for my Queene I'le therefore wooe;
Soe end my troubles and my Kingdomes too.
All thy disswasions will but fruitlesse prove.
I sooner will forsake my Life than Love.
Ges.
What you designe, I doubt, is likelyest farre
To Create Forreigne than end Civill Warre.
But what I sayd, my duty made me say.
Now you are fix'd, 'tis duty to obey.
King.
Spoke like a faithfull servant. Come! letts goe,
And on this noble Change her pleasure knowe.
I cannot thinke I shall Successelesse prove,
Presenting her a Crowne and virtuous Love.
[Exeunt.
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